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“Here’s the reality: this was a statement game. You talk about pressure, you talk about the Yankees at home in a playoff series — and the Cleveland Indians come in and say, ‘Not today.’ Pat Kresse, four hits, three doubles, drove in three — that’s dominance. That’s opportunistic, that’s clutch, that’s exactly what you need on the road in October baseball. And yes, he got hit by a pitch, he scored twice — he made his presence felt every single inning.”
“Now let’s talk about timing. Top of the fifth, two outs, game tied, Kresse lines one up off Steven Janczak for a run-scoring single. That’s not luck. That’s a hitter who knows what to do when the moment is at its peak. You talk about players who elevate their team — that’s Kresse in this series. And Cleveland’s bullpen? Sharpened. Ramirez goes 5.1 innings, allows one run, strikes out seven. That’s elite.”
“Yankees weren’t going away quietly. Nicholson and Johnson hit homers in the ninth, but by then, the Indians had already imposed their will. Momentum shifted. Series now 2-1 Cleveland. And here’s the takeaway: when you win on the road, in a hostile environment like Yankee Stadium, and do it convincingly — you’re not just winning a game, you’re sending a message.”
“Player of the game? Pat Kresse. No question. Ties the AL playoff record with three doubles. That’s not a fluke, that’s historical. And when you talk about October baseball, moments like this — hitting, timing, execution under pressure — that’s exactly what makes this sport unforgiving and, at the same time, irresistible.”
The Indians leave New York with a 2-1 lead. Tomorrow, same place, same fight — but the narrative has changed. And make no mistake, Cleveland has made it very clear: they are here to compete.
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